In Britain they will find on most every street a legalized bookmaker and in that store they can place a bet on practically anything. While the bookmakers are geared up mainly for sports bets, such as horse racing and soccer scores and scorers, you can also have a wager on who will be the next minister to resign in the latest Parliamentary expenses scandal or whether it will snow on Christmas Day.
In America, states have a patchwork of regulations on what residents can and cannot bet on but no state other than Nevada allows punters to put money on the big sports of American football and basketball. Also only in Nevada can folks bet on say soccer’s World Cup.Yet all across America punters ignore those laws and gamble on football and basketball all the time. They are banned from doing it over the phone to Nevada or by using the internet so they just do it through illegal bookmakers. Word has it these guys are linked to the Mob.
A few years ago when the holier-than-thou Republicans controlled Congress a law was passed specifically banning internet gambling. There are rumblings that a change is afoot, especially, as the new regime would like to raise a few billion dollars in gambling taxes to help pay for all this stimulus largesse.
There will of course be the usual debate on the perils of compulsive gambling. However rather than let an unwell minority ruin the thrill for the majority my solution would be that part of the taxes raised by legalized gambling be set aside for treatment course etc.
I’m a big spender so I’ll bet 25c that legalized internet gambling will be back in the US in the next 12 months. Any takers?
2 comments:
There's now't like a bit of a flutter on the gee gee's.
I grew up following the horses in the newspapers every week with my dad. I learned to read and I would often pick an rank outsider with huge odds against, but a bit of previous 'good form'. It was always worth a shilling bet from my father. If successful we'd split the winnings 50/50. A good deal for a skinny little girl in the early 60's. It took me to the Barry Island once!
Growing up with legalised
gambling didn't instill a lifelong urge for gambling. I don't gamble at all! It's simply a little bit of fun for most people. A little excitement in a dreary work week and why not! I will be delighted to see it legalised in the US. I'm pretty fed up of being treated like child without the wit of a chicken! But I'll take that bet john 'cos it's gonna take a lot longer than 12 months.
You're on
Post a Comment